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The Inspiring Journey of UPSC Aspirants from Gorakhpur

This article narrates the inspiring journey of three sisters from Gorakhpur who, despite facing significant financial challenges after their father's illness, took charge of their family's future. They opened a tea shop to support their household while pursuing their dreams of joining the civil service. With determination and hard work, Vartika, Vandita, and Avantika are balancing their studies and responsibilities, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity. Their story is a testament to the power of perseverance and ambition.
By Ambika Singh Sep 23, 2026, 09:47 IST

The Inspiring Journey of UPSC Aspirants


Inspiring Journey of UPSC aspirants: Some dreams are so resilient that the more they are challenged by circumstances, the more fiercely individuals pursue them. This is the story of three sisters from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: Vartika, Vandita, and Avantika. Following their father's illness and subsequent job loss, the family faced a financial crisis. Instead of abandoning their education, the sisters took on the responsibility of managing the household and sought ways to earn money.


Ram Sakal Upadhyay, a branch manager at a well-known insurance company, was the sole breadwinner for his family, which included his three daughters and son, Shivam. Everything was going smoothly until 2017 when he suffered a paralysis attack. This led to the loss of his job and the depletion of their savings for medical treatment. The sudden turn of events had a profound impact on the entire family.


Taking Charge in Tough Times


After their father's health deteriorated, the three sisters made efforts to stabilize the family's finances. They began tutoring children and took on small jobs. However, the income generated was insufficient to cover daily expenses and their father's medication. Meanwhile, their brother Shivam also had to discontinue his studies after the 12th grade and is currently working as a telecaller. The family needed to find ways to increase their earnings.


Starting a Tea Business with Just 8,000 Rupees


The idea of opening a tea shop emerged, but initially, their mother was concerned about societal reactions, fearing ridicule. Ultimately, the family decided to proceed and managed to gather 8,000 rupees. They opened a tea shop named 'Billiwar Bistro' right in front of the DDU gate. Notably, the youngest sister, Avantika, is currently a first-year BA student at DDU.


Balancing Work and Studies


Initially, the shop only sold tea, but as customer numbers grew, they added Maggi to the menu. Two of the sisters manage the shop from 7 AM to 7 PM, after which they return home to study. The eldest sister dedicates about 5-6 hours daily to UPSC preparation while also managing household chores and caring for their father. The other two sisters often study late into the night, sometimes until 2 AM.


Different Goals, Shared Dream of Civil Service


Twenty-two-year-old Vartika has completed her BSc and aspires to become a District Magistrate (DM). She takes online classes and focuses on studying for 8 to 10 hours daily. Vandita is in her second year of BSc and dreams of becoming an IPS officer. Nineteen-year-old Avantika, a first-year student at DDU, aims to become an IAS officer. The eldest sister supports her younger siblings by guiding them through notes and useful YouTube videos.


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